1 KEE    Palisades Turf Sprint

     $100.000         3yo         5 1/2f  Turf           120lbs

Well, it’s not on the SRF coverage list but I can’t let the opening stakes at KEE go to waste… not at THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACE ON EARTH!  And we have a interesting group of eight sophomore turf sprinters headed to the gate for the 2020 Palisades Turf Sprint, a five and a half furlong affair.  Only one of these has more than a maiden win so the door seems wide open.

With only a 10% chance of showers, I’m guessing the turf course will be firm and that made me land on Tyrian as the top choice.  He was third in the Swale (GIII) and he if takes to the grass, I see him as the one to beat.  I’ll take a flyer on Drunk Skunk in the second spot, coming off of a claim.  He’s shortening up and that is either a sign that the new owner likes something or this is a test for something longer… I still think he can be a factor so let’s go with him.  Again, this seems to be wide open so let’s get ready for an  interesting race.

Here’s The Field –

Lightly raced colt has three starts and all have been for a tag.  They go big game hunting today after a solid runner up finish to close out his freshman year, and that was against $40.000 claimers in Louisville.  He seems to have some speed, has been working well, but
the step up will probably make me watch one.

Hasn’t done much since breaking maiden at WO back in June.  He’s been on the main track and they switch over to grass trying to wake this one up a bit.  He’s been showing signs of life in the morning, so maybe this is what the doctor ordered.

Was fairly competitive while facing cheaper than this, then was dropped to the $10.000 level where the hostile takeover occurred.  This is the first start for the new barn, so they shorten him up and go for the gusto.  This barn is good at stepping up claims.

Looked to be on the TC trail after that third in the Swale Stakes (GIII) but took a turn for the worse when eleventh in the Gotham (GIII).  They shorten him up and move him from dirt to turf, which he doesn’t show a work on the lawn, so I’m not sure what to expect.

All three of his turf starts have been on wet surfaces, but he did break maiden on the yielding sod at SAR back in Aug.  Made his ’20 debut vs stakes company at HOU and stopped badly in the late going after setting the pace.  Shorter may help this one.

Steady stream of grass races for this one and was third beaten a head at FG last out vs. Alw foes.  Prior to that he was third beaten a length on the down-hill course at SA, so he has some ability and loves the grass.  He could be a big factor in this one.

Three time winner turned my head but all of those were at PEN and two of them were for a tag.  Was second at GG on the grass but has tired in his last two starts and will need his absolute best to be in the thick of
this one.

Another that broke maiden and has had a tough road since.  Has been up the track in all of his stakes tries, and shortens back up to the distance that he broke maiden.  A repeat of that race would make him a threat.

COZMAN Picks    4 / 3

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